First photo

Getting to this point has been an adventure (even ignoring the ongoing wrist saga)
Yesterday I got a taxi to Birmingham Airport at 5am and after the usual security shenanigans took a slightly delayed flight to Dublin and precleared USA security

We sat around at gate 402 and 15 minutes before we expected boarding to start they cancelled the Newark flight (staff illness???)

So it was out of departures through passport control via baggage reclaim then back into the check in queue

They gave me a seat on the JFK flight leaving 3 hours after I should have gone and their token gesture €5 refreshment voucher. Slight panic with the €40 bottle of whiskey bought in duty free - open one suitcase put it in

Through security then through preclearance (my passport is stamped showing I entered USA twice) it was time to wait at you’ve guessed gate 402

The flight was delayed partly because it had almost doubled its passengers but we got to JFK about 4 hours after I should have been at Newark

Then the cherry on the cake moment- yes the suitcase with the whiskey has not reached JFK (also the clothes I was bringing for Niki and my underwear)

Forms completed I took a taxi - JFK is not a great airport if you’re going to Jersey City

$124 later I got to say hello to Niki 5 hours later than planned just in time for him to go to bed

When I am fully awake I will be looking into the EU compensation directive

But for not I will settle for cuddles